How acquired: Selected with No. 49 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Seattle (NHL): 12 GP, 3-3-6; Coachella Valley (AHL): 58 GP, 28-16-44
The 21-year-old impressed during his first full season in North America, using size and an exceptional shot to earn a mid-March promotion.
It wasn’t always an easy transition coming over, but Nyman (6-2, 212) succeeded in part because of how coachable he was.
“He takes information and implements it right away,” Murphy said. “He’s a big, strong guy and he’s got a heavy shot, gets it off, and has shown an ability to get to open spots and score, which has really opened a lot of eyes.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
How acquired: Selected with No. 58 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Seattle (NHL): 1 GP, 0-0-0, 4.01 GAA, .667 save percentage; Coachella Valley (AHL): 33 GP, 20-10-2, 2.26 GAA, .913 save percentage
Kokko has taken big steps in each of the past two seasons.
First, he took over the starting job and helped Pelicans to the final in Liiga, the top professional league in his native Finland as a 19-year-old. Then he came to North America and was Coachella Valley’s No. 1 by the beginning of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Still just 21 years old, Kokko has impressed with his size (6-3, 184), athleticism and competitiveness while still refining his approach mentally.
“He’s a confident kid that absolutely loves winning, hates losing and battles in the net,” Murphy said. “Couple good years of really big steps.”
Projected NHL arrival: 2026-27
How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick in 2023 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Coachella Valley (AHL): 51 GP, 6-15-21
Sale was Czechia captain at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring the bronze-medal clinching goal in a 3-2 shootout victory against Sweden after getting the winning goal in two of the first three games.
“Big moments, he raised his level,” said Murphy, noting the 20-year-old is a three-time World Junior medal winner (two bronze, one silver). “We love he was able show his skill on the highest stage and execute in big moments.”
Sale (6-2, 174) was also able to translate that skill during his first pro season, navigating the inevitable ups and downs of being in the AHL so young.
“He showed us stretches of the playmaking ability, high-end hockey sense and vision,” Murphy said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2026-27